Can the High Frequency "End Beeps" of the Dishwasher Damage Hearing or Worsen Tinnitus?

Hi everyone!

It's probably a little bit paranoid, but there's no harm in asking: my dishwasher beeps five times when it switches off. I often turn it off a few seconds before the beeping will begin. A bad habit, you might say. Anyway, I'm not always keeping track of time and sometimes I will be too late. The beeps aren't even to be considered 'loud' - not at all - but I feel like the frequency is bothering me. Even upstairs, far away from the machine, the beeps will sound exactly the same if all the doors are open. It probably doesn't make any sense, but I link it to those ultrasonic cat deterrents because I sometimes hear those too when I'm outside and I know that they're actually louder than we think.

I "recovered" from my 4.5 year lasting tinnitus some weeks ago thanks to some pills, but mentally some things are still really hard to handle. It would be nice if someone could help me with this issue.

 

It may be a bit paranoid, but I do the same with my microwave. I trace it back to the days following the onset when I think I had some hyperacusis, because normal sounds sounded really loud and uncomfortable to my ears.
If you are concerned, measure it with an app or a decibel meter. I did back then and I don't really remember the exact loudness, but it was in the "probably safe" category.

Also, I didn't know that, but modern devices can sometimes be muted, so maybe try to find the user guide in order to switch the beep off.

 

Hi,

Those beeps can be annoying but I doubt there is any long-term damage. I do try to keep my bad ear covered with my finger if I'm up close to them whilst turning them off. Just another crazy routine out of this crazy life we must lead. My sensitivity to these things has eased somewhat over time (18 months).

 

This seems highly unlikely.

 

I checked mine and it was at it's highest 62-68 dB. What level is dangerous?

 

No. Those beeps will not cause damage. You should only start worrying about noise decibel levels when they get into the 80s but even then, the duration matters. A 85 dB beep won't hurt you but an 85 dB constant noise that persists for hours and hours can.

Phonophobia is real thing. I used to psych myself out by being afraid of safe noises, like plates clanging, vacuums, fans. This fear caused me to actually perceive noises as loud and harmful. Once I convinced myself to quit it and indulged in the sounds, I quickly wasn't bothered by these noises anymore.

 

Could you please elaborate more on the pills?

 

To be honest, I'm a bit worried about this myself. I have found myself trying to stay away from the kitchen in general because of the microwave, clanging of dishes, etc.

It doesn't seem as if any of that should be damaging, because from what I have learned about hearing damage, you need to consider all of volume, duration, and proximity.

The only uncertainty is to what extent, if any, are you more sensitive to these values given that your ears may be compromised. But then again, uncertainty feeds stress, anxiety, and fear like crazy. It's hard to tell what may be psychological and what may be physical.

 

@Pete88

100% agree! There is no actual danger to your ears listening to short microwave beeping or similar. Phonophobia is real, indeed.

 

Found the thread she talked about it in:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...medications-from-company-called-decola.43227/

 

You think your dishwasher is loud. Mine has this really loud talking voice and is always shouting at the kids! Haha P.S. I love my wife.

 

Sorry I didn’t respond to those asking for the pills: I hadn’t checked the website due to my exams. I see the thread has been posted.

I definitely suffer from phonophobia, even now that the tinnitus is gone. I’ve always been scared to worsen it, right now I’m scared to “activate” it again... I can’t convince myself to go back to normal and it feels terrible.

 

Hi Margrietje, I’m also from Belgium

It takes time to get over phonophobia. Now with COVID-19 you probably don’t get out much, but I was scared of commuting, restaurants, even stacking plates at one point.

A few things that helped me:

1) I got myself some custom earplugs. They are reimbursed via your Belgian healthcare provider in most cases. Having those with me for protection made me more confident.

2), I installed a dB meter on my phone. This sounds like the paranoid thing to do, but it really makes you aware of noise levels. A train station: up to 110 dB! Plug your ears. A loud restaurant: 100 dB, plug your ears. Hair blower 90 dB, might want to plug up. My vacuum cleaner: 78 dB (I bought a silent one)... that’s safe! Dishwasher: 65 dB from a distance? No problem!

As said before 80-85 dB cannot hurt you if it’s just a short duration sound.

You will find yourself plugging your ears less and less over time and you will stop measuring. Not because you grow careless, but because after a while you will know your limits and how loud each sound is.

3) I see that you have had tinnitus for over 4 years... I did get the impression that noise sensitivity slowly improves over time as well. Right after getting tinnitus, loading the dishwasher and accidentally banging plates was a nightmare. Now it’s ok again. I don’t know if the improvement was psychological or actually a reduction of sensitivity.

Give it time!
Measure noise if it makes you feel more comfortable.
And carry and use ear protection if it makes you feel safer!

Good luck!

 

You will be fine. That cannot hurt your ears. The only things to worry about in the house are glass and plates.

 

...and vacuum, hairdryer, power tools, washing machine, slamming doors, smoke alarm, CO2 alarm... and well, people.